Survey shows transportation remains key factor in region's growth

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By From staff reports

MetroWest Daily News, Framingham, MA

By From staff reports

Posted Jul. 1, 2014 at 6:00 AM

By From staff reports

Posted Jul. 1, 2014 at 6:00 AM

» Social News

FRAMINGHAM - As the economic might of MetroWest continues to grow, pressure on commuter routes on weekdays and problems with major highway intersections are magnified, the head of the 495/MetroWest Partnership told members of the Framingham Rotary on Monday.

"This region is only growing in economic importance, but that's not always recognized by our policymakers in Boston and Washington," said Paul Matthews, executive director of the partnership.

Matthews detailed the 10 "transportation nightmares" compiled this spring by the partnership and the MetroWest Daily News from input by commuters and residents throughout the region. The partnership and newspaper teamed up a decade ago for was what then called the "traffic nightmares." The most recent survey changed the name to acknowledge the important role public transportation is playing in the region.

He also said the fact the partnership went to the public for nominations to the list carries weight with policymakers, highlighting "the credibility of having a publicly derived list."

One notable success story in the decade since the†2004 "top 10" - when "lack of public transportation" rang in as the #1 concern - is the inception, funding and launch of the MWRTA and its fleet of buses. The 2014 list includes "commuter rail" as #4 among the top 10.

Matthews said the change in management of the commuter rail lines from the Mass. Bay Commuter Railroad to Keolis Commuter Services, a European company that runs rail lines in several countries, could bring improvements in customer satisfaction.

He said a Keolis representative had called the 495/MetroWest Partnership recently and said, "Your region is really important. What can we do to improve the service?" which was the first time anyone from the company overseeing commuter rail had ever reached out to the partnership.

At the Rotary meeting on Monday, Matthews detailed the top 10 "nightmares," which were made public early in June at the partnership's annual conference.

For more on the "transportation nightmares" go to www.495partnership.org.